How to use Benzoic Acid?

In common with salicylic acid, benzoic acid is a naturally occurring acid compound which is derived from a particular plant species. The main natural sources of benzoic acid are trees from the Styrax family, which are found across Europe, South America and much of Asia. These produce benzoic acid in the form of benzoin resin, a golden brown solid which is poorly soluble. It is an organic substance, incorporating carbon, hydrogen and oxygen into its chemical formula. Whether sourced naturally or synthesised artificially in a laboratory, benzoic acid is the precursor to a number of useful products which have a wide range of applications.

Uses of Benzoic Acid

In natural form the acid has been used for incense sticks and as a medicine for centuries. Today, it is still a common ingredient in perfumes along with urea, the main constituent of mammalian urine! The acid can also be found in decongestants and topical anti-fungal applications. Its primary modern use is not as a substance in its own right, but as the precursor to laboratory produced compounds such as sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate. These have powerful anti-fermentation properties, making them extremely useful for the preservation of a wide range of food.

Benzoic Acid is used as precursor to laboratory produced compounds such as sodium benzoate and potassium benzoate.

Benzoic acid also has the capacity to be synthesised to produce a compound which increases the plasticity of materials as diverse as concrete and other construction materials. As benzyl chloride, benzoic acid is chemically altered to produce a useful insect repellent which is also used as an artificial flavouring for some foodstuffs.

The Role of Natural Compounds in the Modern World

Many naturally occurring substances, including methanol, citric acid and benzoic acid have a wide range of applications in addition to their value as the initial material for synthesis into different compounds. Methane often occurs as natural gas and is widely used as a fuel. Citric acid occurs in fruit and has preservative properties, often being used in conjunction with a benzoate salt to enhance the shelf life of processed foodstuffs. As science advances, an increasing number of natural compounds such as benzoic acid are being investigated and found to yield valuable benefits both in their own right and when chemically altered.